Keep lines with unlimited data and transfer phone number only or transfer two lines with unlimited data

matteo7

The situation...

I have a family plan with 5 lines and they all have unlimited data.
2 people on my plan would like to be on their own family plan
- They would like to buy new phones subsidized.
- They would like to keep their numbers if possible.
I would like to keep to keep 3 lines on my family plan with unlimited data for sure.
I would like to keep the 2 lines in question with the unlimited data no matter who has it...

Here are the scenarios I see... but have some questions...

Scenario 1

Keep all 5 lines with unlimited data on all lines on my plan and change the mobile phone numbers of two of the lines
The two people go get a new family plan with subsidized new phones on their own (this means they will also get new numbers and cannot keep their old phone)

Scenario 2 - Porting just the numbers

Does porting 2 of the numbers on my line cancel those lines on my family plan?
- Does this mean I will end up with 3 lines on my family plan?
Is it possible to transfer the numbers and keep all 5 lines on my plan, but with 2 new mobile phone numbers for the ones that were ported?

Scenario 3 - Assumption of Liability (AOL)

For the 2 people to assume the 2 lines, do they have to have an existing family plan or can they create a new family plan at the time of assumption?
- Can they keep the unlimited data?
  - Can they keep the unlimited data if they assume the 2 lines after they get 2 new subsidized phones or will they end up with 4 lines on their family plan?

Do any of these scenarios work for me or are there any other options? My ultimate goal is to keep the unlimited data, whether it be on my plan only or my plan and their new plan...

Accepted answers

SuzyQ

matteo7 wrote:
Ok. It's clearer...
My confusion was:
So if someone has phone number 123 on my plan A
They create a new plan B of their own with new line 456
AOL happens
123 is taken off my plan
123 is added to plan B
Does that mean 123 and 456 exist - Yes, there would be two lines.
Or can 456 become 123 leaving only one line on plan B No - they would be two distinct lines; and you can't transfer the contract between lines.
I ask because it makes sense if they assume 123 and getting a subsidized phone would eliminate the unlimited data. Yes.Exactly.
But if they can create a new plan and 456 becomes 123...
plan b -> 456 line with new subsidized phone -> 123 assumed with AOL -> keep unlimited data? On line 123, only if the two lines are maintained - so you would pay for line 456 for two years. Or an ETF on line 456 to cancel it and keep only 123. Either way you pay.

All comments

SuzyQ

matteo7 wrote:
The situation...
I have a family plan with 5 lines and they all have unlimited data.
2 people on my plan would like to be on their own family plan
They would like to buy new phones subsidized.
They would like to keep their numbers if possible.
I would like to keep to keep 3 lines on my family plan with unlimited data for sure.
I would like to keep the 2 lines in question with the unlimited data no matter who has it...
Here are the scenarios I see... but have some questions...
Scenario 1
Keep all 5 lines with unlimited data on all lines on my plan and change the mobile phone numbers of two of the lines
The two people go get a new family plan with subsidized new phones on their own (this means they will also get new numbers and cannot keep their old phone) And they will also lose unlimited data by purchasing subsidized phones.
Scenario 2 - Porting just the numbers - Porting means moving to a new carrier, keeping the existing numbers.
Does porting 2 of the numbers on my line cancel those lines on my family plan? Yes.
Does this mean I will end up with 3 lines on my family plan? Yes.
Is it possible to transfer the numbers and keep all 5 lines on my plan, but with 2 new mobile phone numbers for the ones that were ported?
Scenario 3 - Assumption of Liability (AOL)
For the 2 people to assume the 2 lines, do they have to have an existing family plan or can they create a new family plan at the time of assumption? They would create a new account with 2 lines.
Can they keep the unlimited data?
Can they keep the unlimited data if they assume the 2 lines after they get 2 new subsidized phones or will they end up with 4 lines on their family plan? 4 lines?? Are you saying you want to keep unlimited and add two lines to get discounted phones? That's an expensive option.... If they purchase subsidized phones (discounted) and sign new contracts, they will have to choose a tiered data plan. The only way to keep unlimited is to never use that line to purchase a discounted upgrade.
Do any of these scenarios work for me or are there any other options? My ultimate goal is to keep the unlimited data, whether it be on my plan only or my plan and their new plan... As I said, the only way to keep the unlimited is not to purchase subsidized phones. Pay full price, or use a private or third party to obtain the phones.

matteo7

SuzyQ wrote:
matteo7 wrote:
The situation...
I have a family plan with 5 lines and they all have unlimited data.
2 people on my plan would like to be on their own family plan
They would like to buy new phones subsidized.
They would like to keep their numbers if possible.
I would like to keep to keep 3 lines on my family plan with unlimited data for sure.
I would like to keep the 2 lines in question with the unlimited data no matter who has it...
Here are the scenarios I see... but have some questions...
Scenario 1
Keep all 5 lines with unlimited data on all lines on my plan and change the mobile phone numbers of two of the lines
The two people go get a new family plan with subsidized new phones on their own (this means they will also get new numbers and cannot keep their old phone) And they will also lose unlimited data by purchasing subsidized phones. Ok. That will be fine as long as all 5 lines still retain unlimited data on my plan. I just don't want to lose it if I have the option.
Scenario 2 - Porting just the numbers - Porting means moving to a new carrier, keeping the existing numbers. So it looks like this won't work at all.
Does porting 2 of the numbers on my line cancel those lines on my family plan? Yes.
Does this mean I will end up with 3 lines on my family plan? Yes.
Is it possible to transfer the numbers and keep all 5 lines on my plan, but with 2 new mobile phone numbers for the ones that were ported?
Scenario 3 - Assumption of Liability (AOL)
For the 2 people to assume the 2 lines, do they have to have an existing family plan or can they create a new family plan at the time of assumption? They would create a new account with 2 lines. Does that mean 2 lines they take from my plan are merged into those 2 lines they create on a new plan which means they only have 2 lines total? This plays into my question below about 4 lines...
Can they keep the unlimited data?
Can they keep the unlimited data if they assume the 2 lines after they get 2 new subsidized phones or will they end up with 4 lines on their family plan? 4 lines?? Are you saying you want to keep unlimited and add two lines to get discounted phones? That's an expensive option.... If they purchase subsidized phones (discounted) and sign new contracts, they will have to choose a tiered data plan. The only way to keep unlimited is to never use that line to purchase a discounted upgrade.
Do any of these scenarios work for me or are there any other options? My ultimate goal is to keep the unlimited data, whether it be on my plan only or my plan and their new plan... As I said, the only way to keep the unlimited is not to purchase subsidized phones. Pay full price, or use a private or third party to obtain the phones.

Thanks for the quick response.

SuzyQ

If the people with 2 of the 5 lines do an AOL (Assumption of Liability), those two lines will no longer be on your plan, but on the account of the ones doing the assumption. If you want to keep all 5 lines, then the two who want to split will simply start a new plan on their own - no AOL involved at all. They will have their own new numbers, and can do this at any time. You retain control of the 5 lines you have now.

If the two would like to keep their numbers, they would need to do the AOL and split off, leaving you with 3 lines. If they want to pay the subsidized prices, they will not have unlimited data.

Clearer?

matteo7

Ok. It's clearer...

My confusion was:

So if someone has phone number 123 on my plan A

They create a new plan B of their own with new line 456

AOL happens

123 is taken off my plan

123 is added to plan B

Does that mean 123 and 456 exist

Or can 456 become 123 leaving only one line on plan B

I ask because it makes sense if they assume 123 and getting a subsidized phone would eliminate the unlimited data.

123 -> plan b -> subsidize new phone -> lose unlimited data

But if they can create a new plan and 456 becomes 123...

plan b -> 456 line with new subsidized phone -> 123 assumed with AOL -> keep unlimited data?

In any case. That sounds like too much trouble and it doesn't look like it will work from what you say so I'm going to push them for Option 1...

Thanks.